Hi everyone.  I guess if you’re reading this, you’re probably either already going to Montana State University, or thinking about going.  Let me tell you that you couldn’t be making a better decision.  MSU is an awesome school that provides so many opportunities to students from every background, every nationality, and any place in the world.  Regardless of your upbringing, attending MSU and being actively engaged in the school, and any sports teams, clubs, special interest activities, organizations, intramurals, residence hall programs, and student activities in general, can make college one of the best experiences of your life. 

It is so important when you come to college to make the effort to be involved.  It doesn’t matter what you’re involved in.  Maybe you’re the captain of the football team, maybe you’re the best intramural chess player across the campus, or maybe you’re a tutor for students struggling in math.  If you’re the type of person that likes to be involved in every aspect of everything, that’s great.  But even if you’re the shy guy who likes to hang out and observe things from the back, it is important that you branch out.  It is so essential that you make the effort to meet new people and try new things.  It’s the only way that you will make new friends, and that’s what college is truly about.  The friends you make and the experiences you have, are what’s going to make college all worthwhile.  Looking back on the four…and in some cases six or eight years you spend here, you want to have memories that are worth remembering. 

First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that you’re here in school to get a degree.  It is crucial that you commit yourself to getting an education; college is too expensive to attend for just the social aspect.  So be engaged in your classes.  GO to class.  DO the homework.  And remember to STUDY for those tests and quizzes.  Being engaged in your classes also means asking questions when you don’t understand material during class.  It means talking to your professors if you’re feeling lost or left behind on certain issues and subject matter.  Go to their office hours.  Professors, teaching assistants, graduate student helpers, etc. are all here to help.  MSU also has a vast variety of tutoring resources such as ASMSU, ABC, Chemistry, Physics, and Math help centers, as well as an English/Writing help center, and tutors available in some of the residence halls.  Utilizing these programs and staying attuned to what is going on in your classes should allow you to become the best student you can be.  And that is the type of student we want you to be at MSU.   

Also, learn to be engaged in life.  It doesn’t matter if this is making the effort to say hi to someone new, hanging out with your friends on Friday nights, or finding a job that you truly love to do.  You can volunteer for a good cause, or going backpacking once all of the snow finally melts away.  There are so many things to see and do, not only on this campus, but in the town of Bozeman, and the state of Montana as well.  Find something that you love to do, and stay involved.  Commit yourself to being engaged and having fun.  And don’t forget to smile every once in awhile.  It makes life more enjoyable. 

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 11/01/06